Artem Chirkov is the principal double bassist of the St.Petersburg Philharmonic orchestra (St.Petersburg, Russia). The President of Russian Double bass society, head of Annual international festival "Double bass world" (Russia) since 2011, board director of Bradetich Foundation (USA). Artem was born in Leningrad. Graduated from the St Petersburg State Rimsky-Korsakov Conservatoire (class of Riza Gimaletdinov), subsequently studying in Munich under Klaus Trumpf. Recipient of 1st prizes and grand-prix at major double bass competitions in Germany, the Czech Republic, the USA and Switzerland. Won the Grand-prix at the International Bradetich Foundation Competition in Dallas TX, which British music magazine The Strad has likened in terms of significance to the International Van Cliburn Piano Competition.
“Artem Chirkov is the only double bassist who gave a full solo recital at Carnegie Hall. He is considered the best double bass player in the world." (www.muzkarta.info) In October 2014 as a member of the Bassiona Amorosa double bass quartet he was named a recipient of an ECHO Klassik award in the category “Classics without Borders”. He featured in edition of 14’s CD albums with Bassiona Amorosa, and created solo CD’s: Triumvirate, Reminiscences of the 20th Century, Beyong, Impromptus of the Soul, Krasnoyarsk Counterpoints (spring 2020, music by Enjott Schneider).
Artem Chirkov one of the rare concert double bass players in the world regularly gives recitals worldwide, also concerts and tours in collaboration with the Munich, Belgrade, Cologne Philharmonic Orchestras, the Symphony Orchestra of Bayerischer Rundfunk, the Symphony Orchestra of the St. Petersburg Philharmonic, and numerous Philharmonic, Chamber, National orchestras of Russia. Has appeared with conductors including Mariss Jansons, Yuri Temirkanov,Plácido Domingo, Osvaldo Ferreira, Uroš Lajovic, Gianluigi Gelmetti, Jon Kalbfleisch, Christoph Campestrini . Regularly chamber music
parters is the State Borodin Quartet, David Oistrakh Quartett, Razumovsky Quartett, Eliso Virsaladze, Natalia Gutman, Andrey Baranov, David Lefèvre
“The charming, soft and light sound of the double bass conquered the audience. Chirkov interacted so actively with the orchestra that at times it seemed that he was leading the team. Artem soared above the musical texture with its rhythmic labyrinths and melodic patterns, giving the audience the
opportunity to grasp the composition as a whole.” (St.Petersburg Musical Magazin)
In addition to an extensive solo repertoire that includes the main popular double bass works, rarely performed works and arrangements Chirkov regularly performs with premieres of works not only by contemporary composers, but also masterpieces of composers previous centuries. In the fall 2020 as
part of the international arts festival "The Floors" in Belgorod, and the specially composed work for solo.
Double Bass and symphony orchestra "The Witcher" by the composer Ilya Mishchenkov, made a breakthrough in the development of double bass by applying classical technologies of playing on an electronic double bass and using popular trends in electronic music performance.
“Foundation assembled a jury of the world’s finest bassist and music educators and named Chirkov as the world’s best… his new role of master musician and musical ambassador”(Denton Record-Chronicle)
Artem Chirkov is a permanent member of the jury at famous double bass competitions, lead master classes at major conservatories and universities, main teacher at famous double bass workshops and academy “all over the world”.
